#TNHSFB Season Preview: Top Linebacker Units

<h2 class="wp-block-heading">If you want to have a top tier defense, you need guys who makes the tackles, guys who know how to find the ball. These teams below look to have to best linebacking corps headed into the 2024 season with some high level prospects mentioned that can take their games to another level. </h2>     1. Ensworth Tigers   [player_tooltip player_id='219426' first='Sam' last='Haley'], [player_tooltip player_id='390710' first='Micah' last='Smith'], [player_tooltip player_id='1267272' first='Jack' last='Watts'], [player_tooltip player_id='854393' first='Jayden' last='Pyant']   - Nobody in this state has a better threesome at linebacker than Ensworth with Haley, Smith and Watts handling all three starting positions with all three destined for the college ranks. [player_tooltip player_id='219426' first='Sam' last='Haley'] is the 3rd ranked linebacker within the #TN2025 class that is committed to play at TCU next year. He is big, athletic and smart along with room to add more weight once heads to play for Horned Frogs. Smith is highly ranked too and that's due to his upside and ability to handle multiple linebacker positions. Watts looks set for a breakout senior year where he can boost himself into a Top 10 inside LB prospect for our senior class. Pyant is the up and comer that should gain plenty of snaps this Fall and position himself as a starter for next year. This is a talented crop of backers that should make a lot of noise this season.    - - - - -    2. Page Patriots   [player_tooltip player_id='390716' first='Brenden' last='Anes'], [player_tooltip player_id='1102509' first='Aiden' last='Merlin'], [player_tooltip player_id='1717949' first='Sean' last='Cunningham'], Liam Perry   - Sporting the top linebacker from the 2025 class in Anes, the Pats have a stout core here that should produce a lot of tackles and be key performers on defense this Fall. Anes had a breakthrough season as a junior that pushed him towards the top of our LB board as well as land him a spot next season at Wisconsin. Merlin transferred over from James Lawson for his senior year and it should be a beneficial one that helps lead him to college. Cunningham is a tackling machine that could lead the Pats in tackles this year and return next Fall as their defensive leader. Perry is a young one but should learn a lot from his upperclassmen. If everybody remains healthy throughout this group, Page could have one of the better defenses in the state with a star in Anes leading the way.    - - - - -    3. McCallie Blue Tornado   [player_tooltip player_id='1221869' first='Bear' last='Cortes'], Phillipe Robert, Ryan Larrabe, [player_tooltip player_id='212419' first='Cooper' last='Gentle'], [player_tooltip player_id='206141' first='Gabe' last='Abercrombie'], Aaron Mills   - Depth is the main word when talking about the McCallie linebackers. The Blue Tornado can run six deep at this position with a mix of veteran leaders and talented up and coming underclassmen. The star of this group is [player_tooltip player_id='1221869' first='Bear' last='Cortes'], a smart and savvy backer that plays sideline to sideline. He is joined by fellow seniors Robert and Larrabe, who are both inside guys but may take snaps off the edge this season. Behind those guys are two rising juniors in Gentle and Abercrombie that should gain significant experience this year then step into lead, starting roles next Fall. This may not be the flashiest of linebackers but it's a solid group that consistently does their job and should be main factors on one of the better defenses in the state this year.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/bcortes.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1321049" style="width:312px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    4. Brentwood Bruins   [player_tooltip player_id='850431' first='Mason' last='Ray'], [player_tooltip player_id='1278959' first='William' last='Turner'], [player_tooltip player_id='864309' first='William' last='Stockhoff'], [player_tooltip player_id='814796' first='Bowen' last='Clunan'], Jeremiah Flores   - For several years now, Brentwood has been cranking out some solid linebackers and this year's crop looks to be no different. The Bruins return a solid senior core to lead the way on defense this season in Ray, Turner and Stockhoff. All three backers have different skill sets that provide balance to the group as well as three guys that can be depended on. Ray is an athletic guy that can handle the edge or middle while Turner is a true edge that could grow into a defensive end. Both can rush the backfield while providing strong work against the run. Stockhoff is your captain in the middle that will be tasked at stopping the run. Clunan and Flores provide depth and will be asked to play plenty of snaps, giving the vets a breather. Expect to hear a lot about this group throughout the coming season with stars like Ray and Turner leading the way.    - - - - -    5. Ravenwood Raptors   [player_tooltip player_id='219353' first='Lane' last='Sumerel'], [player_tooltip player_id='1153858' first='Austin' last='Mayfield'], Matthew Anderson, Sam Rohan   - Another Williamson County program with a strong linebacking corp are these Raptors who run about four deep with a strong senior duo and two underclassmen that will play a lot this Fall. Sumerel is one of the more under the radar defensive talents we have from the Mid-TN region as he brings good physicality, size and smarts to the field that translate well to the college game. [player_tooltip player_id='1153858' first='Austin' last='Mayfield'] is his senior counterpart that has a unique game. He is built like a middle backer but works the edge well, showing on film explosion and pass rush abilities. Anderson should step into a starting role this year as the team's middle linebacker and flourish with Sumerel and Mayfield around him. Rohan should be a rotational backer that fills in nicely for all three starters. These four should be key factors on a Ravenwood defense that could become one of the best in the state by season's end.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/lsumerel.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1321054" style="width:302px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    6. Baylor Red Raiders   [player_tooltip player_id='1206015' first='Joel' last='Lowenberg'], [player_tooltip player_id='923598' first='Bradley' last='Ilunga-Bisselele'], [player_tooltip player_id='1110937' first='Davis' last='Garrett']   - Depth will be made throughout the coming year for Baylor but these three linebackers alone give the Red Raiders one of the best trio of tacklers in the state. All three guys in Lowenberg, Ilunga-Bisselele and Garrett are ranked inside our #TN2025 Top 150 prospects in the state with all in contention for All-State honors. Recently committing to MTSU, Lowenberg is an aggressive and smart backer that plays sideline to sideline. Illunga-Bisselele has the most upside of the three with the ability to handle several linebacking roles due to his natural athletic abilities. Garrett brings good size and length to the field that should work well against the run. There will be others to gain snaps throughout the year but all three of the guys listed here will see the bulk of the action and be three top tier performers on one of the best team's in the state.   - - - - -    7. BGA Wildcats   [player_tooltip player_id='914552' first='ElGee' last='Webster'], David Demorest, [player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez'], [player_tooltip player_id='1206233' first='Jack' last='Gregg'], [player_tooltip player_id='1104269' first='Park' last='Ballash']   - This unit is my sleeper pick for the coming season as BGA could have one of the better linebacking corps within the Mid-Tennessee region. The biggest trait for this group is their depth. The Cats run about five to six deep with a nice mix of veterans and youthful talent. [player_tooltip player_id='914552' first='ElGee' last='Webster'] has a great opportunity to step up as a senior leader this year, working the edge for the Wildcats defense. Demorest should add depth inside. The star of the group looks to be incoming junior [player_tooltip player_id='1103031' first='Elijah' last='Fernandez']. Transferring over from Dickson Co., Fernandez is a true middle backer that can run while playing a violent brand of football. He should be joined inside by fellow rising juniors in Gregg and Ballash. Both of these guys are undersized but fierce tacklers that read and react very well. This group is missing a tall and long edge guy but the overall collection of backers that BGA has this season should be outstanding and productive throughout the entire year.    - - - - -    8. Brentwood Academy Eagles   [player_tooltip player_id='939778' first='Gavin' last='Schaffer'], [player_tooltip player_id='1206237' first='Arkez' last='Fontenot'], Brody Belville, [player_tooltip player_id='1318538' first='Roman' last='Jennings']   - The 2024 season is a bounce back year for everybody on the Eagles roster, including the linebacking corps that includes a few future college ball players. The senior leader of this group is Schaffer, a hard nosed, physical tackler that plays well versus the run. His leadership will be key but so will the play of rising junior [player_tooltip player_id='1206237' first='Arkez' last='Fontenot']. This 6'0 200 pound athletic backer brings good athleticism and range to the field and college coaches have recognized it already. Belville should provide depth on the inside and gain experience as he looks to start next year. The name to know about for the future is Jennings. This sophomore linebacker has good size (6'2 215) along with versatility that plays well on the edge or the middle. BA has a solid core of backers for the 2024 season and their play will be needed to push the Eagles back into title contention.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/05/20240519_170039-rotated.jpg?w=768" alt="" class="wp-image-1283819" style="width:275px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    9. Bearden Bulldogs   [player_tooltip player_id='800752' first='Kai' last='Ironside'], [player_tooltip player_id='798533' first='Isaiah' last='Hays'], Kiki Moldrup, [player_tooltip player_id='1281467' first='Marcus' last='Brown']   - As we head into the 2024 football season, Bearden could have the best linebacking corps of anyone from the greater Knoxville area and possibly the East Tennessee region. The Bulldogs linebackers provide a nice combo of athleticism, power and speed along with versatility. The lead guy here is Ironside, a fierce and aggressive linebacker with range. He is a headhunter that finds the ball anywhere. He is joined by fellow senior [player_tooltip player_id='798533' first='Isaiah' last='Hays']. He should be penciled in on the edge where his length can cause damage for opposing O-linemen. Moldrup and Brown will add depth and strength in the middle. Brown is one guy to watch moving forward as he could play his way into the Top 20 at his position for the #TN2026 class. Bearden has been solid on defense under Coach Jones and I expect it to stay the same with this foursome flying around making tackles.    - - - - -    10. Clarksville Wildcats   [player_tooltip player_id='1240386' first='Ahmoyre' last='Galbreath'], Jack Stein, Bryson Ellington, Dawson Smith, Max Cunningham   - Led by a current Top 20 ranked linebacker, the Wildcats return a strong crop of linebackers for the 2024 season that provide a wow factor along with good depth. [player_tooltip player_id='1240386' first='Ahmoyre' last='Galbreath'] is a stud. He is one of the fastest backers we have from our senior class that plays aggressive and fast with the tendency to make big plays. He is complimented very well by fellow senior Jack Stein, who may not have the ideal size but plays much bigger with a nose for the ball. The next up and coming stud should be Ellington. Standing 6'2 210 pounds, Ellington brings the look and physical play to the field that can translate to the college game. Smith and Cunningham are unknowns to me right now but look like future starters that will provide depth this season. Clarksville had one of the better defenses in the state last year and things look to remain the same this Fall with this linebacking corp leading the way.    - - - - -    One Extra ….   11. Station Camp Bison   [player_tooltip player_id='841262' first='Kelton' last='Crisp'], [player_tooltip player_id='841139' first='Andrew' last='White'], Alek Manning, [player_tooltip player_id='1261313' first='Ryland' last='Keefe'], Treyson Pettis   - Keep your eyes out for the Bison and their linebackers for the coming season as this group looks stout with some college talent and steady performers spread throughout. The leader without question in this group is Crisp. Ranked as the 11th best linebacker in the state right now, Crisp is one of the top edge backers we have in the #TN2025 class due to his outstanding speed and get-off. Playing alongside him in the middle are White and Manning, two undersized backers that should provide excellent play versus the run. The next up and comer for the Bison defense is [player_tooltip player_id='1261313' first='Ryland' last='Keefe'], a 6 '3 linebacker that could play both the edge or work the middle. Pettis is another underclassmen that should gain experience this season and prepare to be a starter next year. This is a solid group of backers that I think can gain more buzz through the coming football year and establish themselves as one of the better linebacking corps in the Mid-TN region.   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/06/42-Ryland-Keefe.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1298915" style="width:353px;height:auto" /></figure>   - - - - -    Other Top LB Corps To Follow   Lipscomb Acad.: [player_tooltip player_id='219367' first='Kris' last='Thompson'], [player_tooltip player_id='467757' first='Beck' last='Woodside'], [player_tooltip player_id='480882' first='Hudson' last='Husak'], Joven Hacker   Beech: [player_tooltip player_id='951112' first='Gunnar' last='Clary'], Alvin Comer, [player_tooltip player_id='1280293' first='Andy' last='Brock'], Champ Nix   Cookeville: [player_tooltip player_id='353388' first='Blake' last='Owen'], True McLaughlin, Evan Banks   Riverdale: [player_tooltip player_id='490634' first='Jomauri' last='Smith'], Jeremiah Weaver, [player_tooltip player_id='1151463' first='Ayden' last='Emmons'], [player_tooltip player_id='1588087' first='Gael' last='Lara']   Collierville: [player_tooltip player_id='1246567' first='A.J.' last='Greene'], [player_tooltip player_id='1125289' first='Benjamin' last='Buckhold'], [player_tooltip player_id='1246806' first='Jayden' last='Majors'], [player_tooltip player_id='1125291' first='Sebastian' last='Buckhold']   Sevier Co.: [player_tooltip player_id='983418' first='Tyler' last='Mann'], [player_tooltip player_id='1102513' first='Jude' last='Costner'], [player_tooltip player_id='1543020' first='Joey' last='Galazin']   Mt. Pleasant: [player_tooltip player_id='369060' first='Evan' last='Plunkett'], Jayston Barnett, [player_tooltip player_id='611995' first='Jayden' last='McClure']    Maryville: [player_tooltip player_id='1137205' first='Matthew' last='Covert'], [player_tooltip player_id='834596' first='Jonah' last='Arms'], David Crawford, Cohen Babelay, Mayson Ball, [player_tooltip player_id='1707489' first='Dax' last='Cole']   Walker Valley: [player_tooltip player_id='834621' first='Zeke' last='Garrison'], Tate Rountree, [player_tooltip player_id='834616' first='Tyler' last='Goldman'], Cooper Godsey   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/07/jmcclure.jpg?w=400" alt="" class="wp-image-1321064" style="width:387px;height:auto" /></figure>